Frelengian Heartlands: Badgershire Map (d20)
BADGERSHIRE
Capital: Settburgh (pop. 1¸320)
Population: 8¸700
Humans: Few
Demi-Humans: Some halflings and gnomes
Animal-folk: Many badger-folk¸ mouse-folk¸ and rabbit-folk¸ with minorities of goat-folk¸ sheep-folk¸ and rat-folk¸ plus small numbers of other breeds
Humanoids: Goblinoid raiders from the north
Government: Elected Shire-Master with Council of Elders
Leader: Buckmaster Greatburrow
Resources: Gold¸ gems (C)¸ wool¸ roots¸ and mercenaries
Badgershire (pronounced badshire in the vernacular¸ the local badger-folk similarly being known as badders) is a land of rugged hills¸ tall tors¸ and green glens at the heart of the Harried Hills. Approximately 400 square miles in area¸ Badgershire is home to some 8¸700 badger-folk¸ mouse-folk¸ and rabbit-folk¸ with minorities of goat-folk¸ sheep-folk¸ and rat-folk. The capital is Settburgh (Hex 0801)¸ a small town of 1¸320; there are numerous quays along the banks of the Great Warner River at Settburgh¸ the traffic of which is mostly in the hands of the rat-folk.
Mines replete with precious and common metals and gems are found throughout the land¸ the richest fields being protected by the Buckyburg¸ a large fortress complex (Hex 1002). Exports include the infamous Badger Corps¸ companies of mercenaries¸ colors are red and white¸ symbol a stylized badger head¸ companies include the Badshire Hammers¸ the Badshire Biters¸ and the Badshire Burrowers (siege engineer company¸ few better).
The People
Badshire-folk are insular and do not much like strangers; they are vicious when crossed (though the sheep-folk are more mellow). They notably distrust dwarves¸ as no few claim-jumpers from the Pecos Freehold have sought to claim the gold and gem-rich land within their borders (sometimes right on top of citizen burrows).
Government
The current Shire Master is Buckmaster Greatburrow (N male Badshire Badger-folk 6th level Pompous Cleric of the Great Digger; +1 chain mail¸ +1 mace¸ staff of commanding); Disposition: 1 Grumpy¸ 2 Angry¸ 3 Bitter¸ 4 Reflective¸ 5 Hungry¸ 6 Concerned. His primary concern is the slow incursion by the dwarves of the Pecos Freehold; he believes they are paying coyote-folk to raid into the shire to drive away families along the western border. The Council of Elders (one per borough) consists of 18 cantankerous¸ irascible conservative old gaffers and gammers¸ which is the way most of the people like it.
Religion
The most popular religion in the shire is the Church of the Great Digger (NG¸ LG¸ N¸ CG) dedicated to a goddess of unsurpassed burrowing abilities. She is said to have dug all the tunnels in the world¸ carved out all the caverns¸ and excavated all the finest burrows of the land. The goddess is depicted as a burrowing creature with features of many types; the great idol of the goddess in the temple at Settburgh depicts her as having characteristics of badgers¸ rabbits¸ mice¸ rats¸ weasels¸ skunks¸ and various others¸ even gnomes and halflings. Most public idols and icons depict her thus; private icons and statuary often depict her in the type of the owner or artist. Demons: Cuolc¸ the Apocalypse Hund¸ a giant fiendish dachshund who digs out and kills burrowing beings¸ the servant of Galla Marbhadh¸ the Slaughter-Witch.
Military
Badshire-folk are strongly pro-military¸ needful in their lands which border on the northern wilds and the unscrupulous miners of the Pecos Freehold. The Shire-Master can call up a militia of more than 1¸600